The Villainess turns the Hourglass
chapter-42

‘Even if it takes half of my life, I can’t afford to miss this opportunity. I will use the hourglass over and over to destroy Mielle thoroughly. If you are insulted daily, you will not be able to live in your right mind. And taking away your precious things would be very easy. I will turn the hourglass over, and take away your father, your loved one, and those who follow you. In the end, as you made me poison your tea in the past, I will make you do it yourself, and then, it’ll be off with your head.’

“… Haha.”

The mere imagination alone made her burst with laughter. When she did so in the middle of class, Mrs. White smiled softly and asked why she was laughing, “Did something good happen for you?”

“Yes, something very good has happened.”

Aria glanced at the hourglass, which was within reach of her. Since she hadn’t used to it yet, she thought it wouldn’t be too bad to use it on Mrs. White.

“What good things have happened to you? I’m curious.”

“Do you want to know?”

“Yes, they say that sharing good things makes your joy doubled. I want to share in what good thing has happened to Lady Aria.”

She was quite a nuisance. Since her teaching skills were poor, her classes were useless. In addition, she normally bothered Aria by expressing her intentions as she urged Aria to meet her son, Aphon, displaying her insidious, innermost thoughts.

‘In the past, you took him, who was pretty hung up to me, away heartlessly.’

Aria still remembered Mrs. White, who had turned up very chilly for her son, who had gotten drunk, after judging that Aria had outer beauty, but that there was nothing to be gained from her. She had left with her son while leaving these words behind: “Do not hang out with such a vulgar girl.”

“I met an old fox.”

“An old fox?”

“Yes. A very old and ugly fox.”

“Is that a good thing?” the very old fox, the viscountess, asked, cocking her head.

“Sure. The fox is very cute. She doesn’t know who she is and looks around for anything to gain. It’s worth watching her. I’m going to play with her until all of her bones are crushed.”

The viscountess’s face hardened immediately. It seemed difficult to answer to that statement. That was because the story had been a little horrible and cruel to have come out of the mouth of such a young girl.

“… You must have a cute pet. I really want to see it too.”

Nevertheless, she had to agree with Aria because she wanted something.

A fox was not a pet, and she wondered why Aria was raising an old fox, but she did not say such a negative thing.

Aria responded with a smile as fresh as a flower and said to Mrs. White, “You can meet her without even trying.”

After her gaze went through the viscountess, it headed to the mirror near the dressing room. It meant that the viscountess could meet her if looked in the mirror. However, it was inevitable that she would have to explain it in a slightly more straightforward manner, as the viscountess didn’t understand what she was saying.

“Sometimes, I get irritated. She keeps asking me to see her boy, who has nothing to see. She seems to want to raise her status somehow. She doesn’t even know who she is.”

Aria wanted Mrs. White not to bother her anymore. She would meet her son eventually and make full use of him. ‘Don’t you know this makes me want to throw you away?’

It was only then that Mrs. White realized that the old fox was not a pet, and her face froze. That was because Aria, who had always been nice and gentle, had changed. Still, she did not realize that the old fox was herself. She had never thought Aria to be mean to her, so she wasn’t seeing what was suddenly in front of her face since they had gotten along well so far.

“Well, who is it? … How did she offend such a kind and loving lady?”

“That’s right. I am very sorry to see her trying to please me without knowing it’s her,” Aria replied, smiling softly and taking a sip of the cold tea.

At last, she realized that the old fox was her, so she dropped the book she held in her hand. Her hands shook, as if she were deeply embarrassed, and she was unable to say anything back.

Aria watched her ugly appearance for a moment. She imagined Mrs. White might try to do something wrong, but she didn’t think she would. No, she seemed shocked enough not to think of it.

‘How naive did you think me to be? … Shall I stop now?’

Aria hadn’t found it funny, and she shouldn’t use the hourglass for such a trifle.

She guessed that it had been about five minutes, so she reached out and grabbed the hourglass.

Aria, who turned it over without regret, said to the viscountess, who was back to her old self with her pretentiously soft expression, “Your class is always fun and enjoyable!”

The friendly class continued.

* * *

It was a week before her servant was able to give Oscar the gift in return for the dress. As it happened, the servant could not visit the academy on weekdays, and Oscar was busy on weekends, perhaps because the semester was nearly over. Therefore, Oscar received it without checking its contents. He didn’t know what would be in it and he was stupid.

The servant bowed apologetically, saying that he hadn’t received any messages from Oscar.

“I’m so sorry, miss… I tried to get a message from him, but he turned around coldly…”

“It’s OK. You did a good job. Go back and rest now. Take the rest of the day off.”

“… Yeah?”

The servant, who had been expecting her to scold him, had no choice but to raise his head and look at Aria at her sudden declaration that he take a day break.

Her expression was full of mercy and composure, contrary to his expectation of her being vile. She looked like a little angel, so he was mesmerized by her.

Even as he gazed at her rudely, Aria smiled at him without punishing him.

“Is there anything else you need to say?”

“Oh, no! Thank you!”

“If you’re done with your work, leave the room.”

When the servant realized his fault, he hurried out of Aria’s room. Jessie, who had been watching from the back, measured Aria’s complexion and temper, but she still looked well.

‘I thought he might turn it down right away, on the spot, but I’m glad he didn’t.’

The fact that he had taken the gift would make Oscar have to do something after later confirming how expensive the brooch was. He could not send back a gift he had already accepted through her servant, so he would either come to her himself or send something as a thanks again.

If fate was willing to make them connect, then so it would be. A completely unrelated man and woman would never exchange gifts and letters again.

She wondered if she could take his heart someday if she built up a friendship this way. Of course, if things became complicated, she was confident she could make use of the hourglass.

‘Look forward to it, Mielle. I’ll make you pay for taking my life.’

* * *

It was about two weeks before Oscar’s reply arrived.

She was so nervous that she couldn’t sleep properly. She couldn’t help but scream as soon as the letter from him arrived.

Aria opened the letter with trembling hands. The neat and elegant handwriting added heat to her heart.

[Dear Aria Roscent,

Thank you for your gift. I’d like to meet you in person, so I’d appreciate it if you would send me a date and time when you can.

Oscar Frederik.]

She was a little disappointed because the length of the letter was shorter than she had expected. Just like Aria’s letter, it was not too long, but it was filled with important points. The letter seemed to give her no space for a close relationship, and it left her with no room to carry on the exchange.

But, it was enough to get his reply letter. It was a little early to be disappointed because her plan was to start building that relationship from scratch anyway. With the mysterious hourglass, she could turn time back at any moment and somehow manage to steal his heart.